HOUSTON, June 15, 2013 — Live onstage at Asia Society Texas Center’s Brown Foundation Performing Arts Theater, Riyaaz Qawwali’s much anticipated return to Houston drew a large audience to celebrate the release of their debut CD, Kashti. Meaning "boat" or "ship" in Urdu and Hindi, Kashti draws upon the expansive embrace of qawwali to transcend religious, spiritual, and linguistic boundaries.

Riyaaz Qawwali’s songs wove together poetry from diverse cultures to illumine the “oneness” residing at the heart of faith traditions around the world. The performance was a beautiful reflection of the group’s belief that music is a potent medium for connection, transcendence, and joy. During the performance, the ensemble was showered with affection and money (vel) from an appreciative audience.

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